Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-10-15
TORPEDO FISH.
The Electricity in them will Knock Man
Down.

On the beach at Tybee, the other
day, and old fisherman in oil skins
was unloading boat that had been
full of fish, when lusty young man,
clad in white trousers and white
flannel shirt, met the old fellows eye.
"You look like a likely hefter,"
called out the old fisherman, his hands
and arms meanwhile falling to the
perpendicular and merry twinkle
taking possession of his eyes.
"a likely what 2" rather indig-
nantly rejoined the youth.
"a likely hefter-a chap who can
lift heap" was the reply.
eyes; I am considered pretty
strong in the Savannah Athletic
Club" was the answer.
"Did you ever lift much fish ?"
asked the old fellow, throwing huge
netful of thinkers on the dock, and
looking his companion over with a
critical eye.
81 never saw the fish | couldn't
lift"
The fisherman thrust his hand into
his pocket, from which, after vio-
lent struggle and much invective, he
hauled out very fiat, light leather
pocketbook, that was closed with a
strap and piece of rope-yarn. He
took from it a clean ten-dollar bill
and said: "I'm going on eighty-one
years old next muster day, built III
bet ten-dollars even you can't lift fish
that can"
"Where's your fish," asked the
youth.
"Well, I'll tell you. Here's fish,"
and he poked among the thinkers and
pointed to large, solid and skate
like fish in the bottom OF the dory.
Lets see it's about five foot up to
the dock. I'll bet you the $40 you
can't toss the fish up there.
II don't want to take your money!"
replied the young man magnanimous-
1y, as a number of spectators drew
around. "But if you've got half
dozen of the fish, string 'em all to-
gether and give me something worth
doing. I've lifted five hundred
before breakfast"
ooh, yes, I've heard of you," said
the old man, somewhat warmly.
"You're the man that ate piece of
rubber hose for breakfast, and didn't
find out it wasn't sausage until
somebody told you. See that thumb
nail p" he said, holding up curious
looking stub with horny growth
upon it. "Well, l served prentice
once to box maker, and used to put
in all the screws with that nail, and
pull 'em out with my teeth when they
broke off. You know me, and I'll
stick to it you can't heave that fish
up to the dock, and there's the
money"
The Savannah athlete, thus called
upon, deposited $40 with a we'll
known gentleman who had Joined the
party, and went down the ladder into
the boat, while the old fisherman
climed up to the dock to watch the
feat.
"Stand back there !" exclaimed the
boss tosser, rolling up his sleeves
"This fish might hit you, old man.
and knock some of the blow out of
you"
"Heave away" responded the man
in oil skins, tipping wink at the
crowd in general.
The young man now stepped into
the dory and poked away at the tink-
ers-small mackerel-that were slid
ing about. Standing on the edge of
the boat he stopped down, grasped
the skate like fish and lifted, raising
it about foot. Then, uttering yell,
he staggered moment and fell with
a resounding splash into the water,
nearly capsizing the boat in accomp-
fishing the feat, which was received
with shouts of laughter from the